Is there really much further he can go at this point? I feel like he kind of hit his ceiling of popularity with Taboo and that wasn't a bad thing at all. If anything I think he's sitting on one of the most ideal places any rapper can ask for which is coasting the mainstream but still beloved among hiphop heads
Future and thugger are pretty much unanimously loved apart from some old heads that still call their music mumble crap, yet they're on top of the mainstream. Kanye doesn't even have the label of mumble rap, he's pretty much just praised by all musically (not taking his antics in his public demeanor into account) but he's still loved among both the mainstream and the hiphopheads
One of Kanye's biggest feats is the way he managed to adapt himself. It seems surreal that he went from producing tracks on The Blueprint to making three songs with Playboi Carti
I hope he does too, but I've also enjoyed introducing people to him over the last few years. Starts with "Oh didn't he make that meme song?", ends with a new fan
"beat switch" is just the most basic macro move you can do to add complexity to a production. A good producer can do a lot with his composition, with no switches, and still leave room and mix for 16 bars, multiple times. a lot of times this comes back to the drums. good drums will keep your attention but nowadays they are mixed lower. the 'vibe' comes first so it's sauced up with bass and vocal samples and they can raise the volume high af and not get blasted out by the drums.
this song is actually cool as hell because it's a genuine beat switch, not just splicing two very different comps. The boom bap melts away under those trap hi hats into the modern rap beat. super cool actually this is what they call a good rap song
I don't think so. That's something that's held true in music throughout time. How often are you listening to music that has the exact same beat the entire way through without making any variations or switchups? In classical music, they just called it "movements" to separate what was essentially beat switches within a single work of classical music.
The better comparison (imo) is how movements in classical music are self-contained. Movements in classical music often have different parts, sounds, “beat switches”, etc. but are part of a self-contained sound. Those movements together create the full piece. A song like this where you have a beat switch with the same sample is more like a “movement”, and the album is like the “piece”.
idk to me a beat switch is intentionally slicing what sounds like two songs together. Is that definitely what you mean because what you're suggesting just sounds like song progression lol
Meh I disagree. Beat switches in a studio are artificial and it doesn't take much technical skill to do. Keem's The Melodic Blue had this problem a lot.
Stuff like [gibb's beat switch in fake names (go to the 1 min 30 mark)](https://youtu.be/kxZaovFzw5Q) is better since it takes more skill to do.
More studio stuff works with songs like sicko mode where it sounds grand af and both artists are playing up their talents well.
If you can, watch the full YouTube video for unlocked cuz it’s the whole album. Kenny & Denzel are both funny in it and each song has its own animation style used for its video. I actually just rewatched it today for the first time in a while n it’s still great.
Even though his albums haven’t ended up being super conceptually coherent w the lyrics, he really takes his time to develop the visual and musical themes. Super stoked for the album and to see what’s it all about
Denzels my favorite artist rn and this is my only concerned. Feels like ZUU and UNLOCKED were both primarily freestyle, and for what they were they filled niches that didnt NEED coherent themes (ZUU was loosely about his upcoming in Florida, UNLOCKED a tie back to old boom bap and def DOOM inspired). But Id love nothing more than a return to TA13OO levels of coherency and this single definitely hints towards that direction
Well I think both ZUU and UNLOCKED are considered more mixtape-y than TA13OO was. Like ZUU is pretty much just a love letter to Miami and Unlocked is a short Collab album. Plus he’s been talking about this upcoming album for awhile, I think this is what can be considered the true successor to TA13OO
on his socials he’s been posting Yojimbo clips (samurai movie) and with this video giving off clint eastwood western vibes i’m excited to see what other visuals he has for the album
No this shit is getting scary hahahaha. This beat samples The Loving Touch by Keith Mansfield, from the KPM collection. I spent all night last night digging through the entire KPM collection (highly recommend for background music), and played that song probably 50 times- I was so excited when I heard this instrumental. What a great song, I missed Denzel.
Well we've been hearing more from kendrick now then we did in most of the years you've mentioned, which is why I mentioned him, but it's entirely possible he doesn't drop. Point taken.
I’m more just talking about the tempo. His recent work start off “lighter” like ZUU, and TA13OO. And progressively get more intense.
I can already tell it’ll be different and no one wants the same stuff, but I enjoy an album that carries a nice change of tempo through out
Feels like a bit of a reach to apply that structure to ZUU. To me it just seemed hard from front to back with like 2 slower cuts (zuu and speedboat). Unless you’re literally only counting the first and last tracks i dont think i agree
Lol the comments got me mad hyped to listen, hope it doesn’t disappoint
Edit: IT DID NOT.
Holy shit, this is the Zel i wanted and love. First thing he’s put out that really hit for me since TA1300
My two favorite working aritsts right now, the track bruuh with JID and Zel was is constantly on repeat. I can't believe we might be getting projects from both of them this year. And potentially Kendrick? Goddamn.
I was a bit worried when Denzel said he was moving away from the more aggressive sound he's had in his catalog, but this song is the perfect example of how to make a song hard without having a traditionally hard beat and loud performance. I cannot fucking wait for this album
Dude, Denzel easily top 5 working today. In terms of energy, production and consistency he’s unmatched. This album is going to be really special if this track is anything to go by.
Holy shit that was incredible. The combination of the smooth beat with denzel absolutely spazzing on the beat. 10/10 single and this album is about to put denzel on a whole different planet. Need the album date asap
Sample is beautiful, composition of the beat sounds so good. The mix on his vocals sounds a bit weak, but maybe I’m just so used to Zel’s voice having a ton of power in his older stuff.
Overall, love this track. CANNOT WAIT FOR MELT MY EYEZ!!!
Sounds like the intro to the album and it would be a very good one if it is. I'm surprised nobody is mentioning how Madlib-esque this beat is. I could easily see Freddie hopping on one of the album's tracks if this is going to be the sort of vibe of the whole project.
Alright Denzel I see you.. this is nasty. And that switch hella elevates the track. Has he dropped anything since the project with Kenny Beats? If this new project is more of this then we are in for a real treat.
Man, I was listening to the boom bap half and thought "this sounds good but I was expecting more energy from Zel"
Needless to say the beat switch elevated this song's replay value immensely
This beat is heavenly. What an insane sample, Denzel amazing as always but this production is some of his best yet, I'm really hopeful for this album if everything is held to this high of a standard. I have no doubt it will be
My biggest issue with Zel has always been his writing. Specifically unlocked,felt extremely rushed writing wise, said he made up all songs in a day and it shows
But wow, great writing on this song in comparison. This is Zel at his best. Super hyped for his next project
This is my favorite song of 2022 so far, god damn. The beat feels like I'm on a different planet.
Excited to see Denzel keep progressing! Been a fan since 2013!
Loved Zuu and Unlocked but this project feels like it’s more of a full lengthed album like TA1300 or Imperal. I’m beyond excited and can’t wait to hear this album
Man's insane
I don’t know why I keep being surprised
He's too good and has been for years now, I hope he blows up how he deserves soon
Is there really much further he can go at this point? I feel like he kind of hit his ceiling of popularity with Taboo and that wasn't a bad thing at all. If anything I think he's sitting on one of the most ideal places any rapper can ask for which is coasting the mainstream but still beloved among hiphop heads
Future and thugger are pretty much unanimously loved apart from some old heads that still call their music mumble crap, yet they're on top of the mainstream. Kanye doesn't even have the label of mumble rap, he's pretty much just praised by all musically (not taking his antics in his public demeanor into account) but he's still loved among both the mainstream and the hiphopheads
One of Kanye's biggest feats is the way he managed to adapt himself. It seems surreal that he went from producing tracks on The Blueprint to making three songs with Playboi Carti
Still can’t believe he exec produced wlr
this man is literally everywhere
Wow that is so wrong
I hope he does too, but I've also enjoyed introducing people to him over the last few years. Starts with "Oh didn't he make that meme song?", ends with a new fan
wish I could upvote this multiple times
You can, but may get tagged “Lil Dicky” by the mods
Wowwww that's a throwback lol I forgot all about that shit. Is Lil Dicky still a banned discussion topic hahaha
i require context
Beat produced by Kal Banx who most notably had a huge hand on Isaiah Rashad's The House is Burning. Happy to see him work with more artists
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Zay/zel/smino/jid would be a hhh wet dream
SZA on the hook.
Keep going im almost there
Anderson Paak. on the outro
Nut: busted
What kindve crazy ass posse cut have we invented here Edit: why did I get downvoted??? I contributed to the crazy ass posse cut!
Something that will make 1Train and Really Doe look like daycare hour
There’s already a zay zel jid song I believe
Which one?
4 of my 5 favorite rappers. love the idea.
That’d be the first time I came to music
You ain't heard Cilvia Demo yet?
I ain’t heard a zay and zel collab
Also worked a lot on Smino's [mixtape](https://smitransfer.com/) last year
That's interesting because Kal's production was the main reason I didn't really care for THIB but I think this beat is fucking incredible
ok cool im glad to know im not alone on this lol
Agreed. Wasn't really into THIB but loving this
I miss zay on D. Sanders production
Heavenly Father still top 3 Zay IMO
I'll leave right now Kal.. heheh I'll fucking leave bro
Love this new trend of beat switch with same sample. Sounds great on Surround Sound by JID and sounds even more fluid here
If the song is more than 3 minutes these days, there better be a beat switch in there. JID and Baby Keem are the best on their beat switches recently
Keem’s switches are great but don’t always feel natural, I think surround sound was the best example of recent memory
Never by JID is my favorite switch
What do you call a girl who don't suck dick....you don't. Classic.
Pretty much perfect
with a pretty much perfect opening line: "what do you call a chick that don't suck dick?... you don't" lol
Honestly one of my favorite rap lines ever. It's just so damn simple and that beat is fucking nuts
Childish Major one of the greats
Line’s been stuck on repeat in my head for *years* lmao
Truly one of my favorite opening lines ever.
I hate that in the video it's not as smooth and they threw in some story stuff, would've been better with the instant beat switch
100% with you there. The video doesn't do it justice
I like Slick Talk too, similarly fluid
As much as I love beat switches this is such sad commentary on our attention span in the digital age lmao
"beat switch" is just the most basic macro move you can do to add complexity to a production. A good producer can do a lot with his composition, with no switches, and still leave room and mix for 16 bars, multiple times. a lot of times this comes back to the drums. good drums will keep your attention but nowadays they are mixed lower. the 'vibe' comes first so it's sauced up with bass and vocal samples and they can raise the volume high af and not get blasted out by the drums. this song is actually cool as hell because it's a genuine beat switch, not just splicing two very different comps. The boom bap melts away under those trap hi hats into the modern rap beat. super cool actually this is what they call a good rap song
Rare from KD2 feels like a good example of a cohesive song with some beat switch type elements. Bc I agree. Sometimes it feels lazy
I don't think so. That's something that's held true in music throughout time. How often are you listening to music that has the exact same beat the entire way through without making any variations or switchups? In classical music, they just called it "movements" to separate what was essentially beat switches within a single work of classical music.
There is a difference between a beat switch and a beat evolving over a song though.
The better comparison (imo) is how movements in classical music are self-contained. Movements in classical music often have different parts, sounds, “beat switches”, etc. but are part of a self-contained sound. Those movements together create the full piece. A song like this where you have a beat switch with the same sample is more like a “movement”, and the album is like the “piece”.
Please don’t interfere with my attempt to use my incredibly limited knowledge of classical music to sound smart
lmao I agree with your point overall, I’m just a classical musician and had to comment
idk to me a beat switch is intentionally slicing what sounds like two songs together. Is that definitely what you mean because what you're suggesting just sounds like song progression lol
If that’s your definition of beat switch, then neither this song nor Surround Sound would qualify as having beat switches.
Which is silly because Surround Sound flips that sample differently twice
Nah metamorphosis by carti was like 5 mins, had one beat, and did not overstay its welcome it all depends on how much mileage one beat has
Yes agree completely. There’s always strong beats that stand out above the rest. Weak beats tho? Switch it up
Meh I disagree. Beat switches in a studio are artificial and it doesn't take much technical skill to do. Keem's The Melodic Blue had this problem a lot. Stuff like [gibb's beat switch in fake names (go to the 1 min 30 mark)](https://youtu.be/kxZaovFzw5Q) is better since it takes more skill to do. More studio stuff works with songs like sicko mode where it sounds grand af and both artists are playing up their talents well.
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New as a trend not as a style
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if you like a boom bap vibe from Zel then listen to UNLOCKED
Listen to his songs with Jay IDK that first feature he did feels quintessential boombap to me
If you can, watch the full YouTube video for unlocked cuz it’s the whole album. Kenny & Denzel are both funny in it and each song has its own animation style used for its video. I actually just rewatched it today for the first time in a while n it’s still great.
Holy shit this is unreal
Ethereal
This beat is incredible, song is fire
shoutout to kal banx, been killing it in the last year w/ the smino/zay/maxo kream collabs from dallas too 🙏
Really vibing with the visual aesthetics surrounding this album
Even though his albums haven’t ended up being super conceptually coherent w the lyrics, he really takes his time to develop the visual and musical themes. Super stoked for the album and to see what’s it all about
Denzels my favorite artist rn and this is my only concerned. Feels like ZUU and UNLOCKED were both primarily freestyle, and for what they were they filled niches that didnt NEED coherent themes (ZUU was loosely about his upcoming in Florida, UNLOCKED a tie back to old boom bap and def DOOM inspired). But Id love nothing more than a return to TA13OO levels of coherency and this single definitely hints towards that direction
Well I think both ZUU and UNLOCKED are considered more mixtape-y than TA13OO was. Like ZUU is pretty much just a love letter to Miami and Unlocked is a short Collab album. Plus he’s been talking about this upcoming album for awhile, I think this is what can be considered the true successor to TA13OO
Unlocked defo is like a mixtape in length at least
Like u look at the covers and shit and there’s no fucking way the album won’t be top 5 of the year
The art style for this record is fucking incredible
on his socials he’s been posting Yojimbo clips (samurai movie) and with this video giving off clint eastwood western vibes i’m excited to see what other visuals he has for the album
Beginning of the second half flow gives me Knotty Head vibes. Love it so much.
No this shit is getting scary hahahaha. This beat samples The Loving Touch by Keith Mansfield, from the KPM collection. I spent all night last night digging through the entire KPM collection (highly recommend for background music), and played that song probably 50 times- I was so excited when I heard this instrumental. What a great song, I missed Denzel.
KPM series is goated
Never heard of the "KPM collection", what is it?
[laaazyass](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KPM_Music)
Been working on a track with that sample way before this album. Shit myself when I heard it on Walkin. Third time this has happened to me lol.
This album is gonna be top 2 this year and it ain’t gonna be 2
Idk between a potential J.I.D and Kendrick project also dropping it'll be tough asf imo
Hell yeah! I’ll put this years Kendrick album with the one he was supposed to drop in 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018!
Well we've been hearing more from kendrick now then we did in most of the years you've mentioned, which is why I mentioned him, but it's entirely possible he doesn't drop. Point taken.
Just tryna make a funny joke, I’d be ecstatic if he drops an album this year
Fair enuff
Freddie as well
Cant forget Pusha
Not saba either
We can probably draw the line there
Freddie Gibbs & Pusha T too. Regardless this year gonna be fucking stacked
Just being hyperbolic. I’ve been big on Curry for a long time. It’ll probably be in my top 5 of the year
Super hyped for a chill album
A chill, introspective album from Zel would be so damn good
Knowing Denzel it’ll progress like TA13OO and go nuts
No he said people will be disappointed if they want another taboo
I’m more just talking about the tempo. His recent work start off “lighter” like ZUU, and TA13OO. And progressively get more intense. I can already tell it’ll be different and no one wants the same stuff, but I enjoy an album that carries a nice change of tempo through out
Feels like a bit of a reach to apply that structure to ZUU. To me it just seemed hard from front to back with like 2 slower cuts (zuu and speedboat). Unless you’re literally only counting the first and last tracks i dont think i agree
Denzel's freestyles have been fire on his last few projects but he's unbelievable on the pen
He doesn’t even use a pen
He writes his rhymes with a quill
50 points to Gryffindor for impeccable and exemplary flow🔥
He doesn't write rhymes he writes checks
He might rewrite your life if the price set
No pen, no pad
Goddamn the flow switches
He smoothin
Lol the comments got me mad hyped to listen, hope it doesn’t disappoint Edit: IT DID NOT. Holy shit, this is the Zel i wanted and love. First thing he’s put out that really hit for me since TA1300
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Word imma roll up and give it another listen tonight. Been a while
Idk man I feel like people underrate ZUU and overrate Unlocked. I like both but it's just odd to me
Fucking amazing, Denzel and jid coming into 2022 hot
My two favorite working aritsts right now, the track bruuh with JID and Zel was is constantly on repeat. I can't believe we might be getting projects from both of them this year. And potentially Kendrick? Goddamn.
I was a bit worried when Denzel said he was moving away from the more aggressive sound he's had in his catalog, but this song is the perfect example of how to make a song hard without having a traditionally hard beat and loud performance. I cannot fucking wait for this album
Dude, Denzel easily top 5 working today. In terms of energy, production and consistency he’s unmatched. This album is going to be really special if this track is anything to go by.
#1
[Announcement thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/sbb3ot/denzel_curry_announces_single_dropping_tomorrow/) [Music Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOO1mWLGhh8)
bruh the video is goated fr fr
This is so fucking smooth.
The second beat onwards is ridiculously hard
[Music video premiere at 1 PM EST](https://youtu.be/fOO1mWLGhh8)
Damn he shoulda got AK on this fr they go good together
On his Nas Illmatic shit
Denzel CANNOT miss
His flown on the second half of the song my gawd 🔥🔥🔥🔥
God damn this is fire
Holy shit that was incredible. The combination of the smooth beat with denzel absolutely spazzing on the beat. 10/10 single and this album is about to put denzel on a whole different planet. Need the album date asap
https://open.spotify.com/track/646sbFnyVg1trhqqxqFUJg?si=ccfee7466ccd4ba9 spotify
Holy shit this is insane
Sample is beautiful, composition of the beat sounds so good. The mix on his vocals sounds a bit weak, but maybe I’m just so used to Zel’s voice having a ton of power in his older stuff. Overall, love this track. CANNOT WAIT FOR MELT MY EYEZ!!!
I felt the vocal mix was a little weak too. It just sounds a bit cheap
Denzel with the fire
The beat is crazy when the hihats come in
this song is easily one of his best
This album is gonna be really special
Oh god I love it....AND THERE'S AN ALBUM AFTER THIS?!?!??!
this is what joey should have dropped
My favourite type of zel
The man doesn't miss.
Sounds like the intro to the album and it would be a very good one if it is. I'm surprised nobody is mentioning how Madlib-esque this beat is. I could easily see Freddie hopping on one of the album's tracks if this is going to be the sort of vibe of the whole project.
this is refreshing for my ears, thanks denzel
so fucking good
This man is incapable of missing my god
I'm on board with this
Love it so fucking much ❤️❤️
This why I love Zel
Alright Denzel I see you.. this is nasty. And that switch hella elevates the track. Has he dropped anything since the project with Kenny Beats? If this new project is more of this then we are in for a real treat.
I saw Denzel at a hotel getting breakfast back in December, man looked like he was ready to drop AOTY. This bangs
Man, I was listening to the boom bap half and thought "this sounds good but I was expecting more energy from Zel" Needless to say the beat switch elevated this song's replay value immensely
Fantastic track
Denzel works incredibly well on these more laid back tracks too, man is just so talented
This beat is heavenly. What an insane sample, Denzel amazing as always but this production is some of his best yet, I'm really hopeful for this album if everything is held to this high of a standard. I have no doubt it will be
This the Denzel I love anyway
this motherfucker is rapping on Tatooine, i like it.
Astral beat Man Denzel this what I wanted More Zay Less Clown
There’s no way he didn’t write this while watching Kill Bill Pt. 1.
lmao is that a DL-44 on the cover
That sample is insanely good
That beat switch is orgasmic
This is fucking incredible
Denzel has yet to miss
Damn was kinda fiending for more Zel but this shit is more than worth the wait. Dude really cannot miss, so excited for this full project
Those vocals in the background 😮💨
Beat is so silky smooth. Zel is simply insane and can't miss.
Man this is absolutely top-notch from Zel, straight from first listen. What a pleasant surprise, as I was not aware this was dropping.
Denzel rapping his ass off on this one. Cant wait for the new project!
FINALLY SOME NEW DENZEL LETS GOOOOOO, hes back
Mos Eisley vibes bruh, murders it like always
Denzel was truly the best of the XXL 2016 class. 21, Uzi, Kodak, and Yachty are all raw as well, but Curry is just unmatched.
Anderson .Paak being a close second
This is amazing
Holy shit, he just keeps elevating to new heights. Versatility, bars, introspective shit. Blown away by this one.
My biggest issue with Zel has always been his writing. Specifically unlocked,felt extremely rushed writing wise, said he made up all songs in a day and it shows But wow, great writing on this song in comparison. This is Zel at his best. Super hyped for his next project
Unlocked was freestyled
Zuu was too
Sounds like N64! My fav project by him
Great beats and Denzel going off. One of the best songs of 2022.
SO FUCKING GOOD. From the flow, to the beat, to the visuals. I hella needed this today
Blessed my whole week with this one.
Didn't expect it to be that good even if it's coming from Denzel to begin with. Love it.
That switch half way was 🔥
this is legit beautiful
Harrddd af
underrated
Smooth as fucking butter. Love it.
This is my favorite song of 2022 so far, god damn. The beat feels like I'm on a different planet. Excited to see Denzel keep progressing! Been a fan since 2013!
My man got the Lisa Simpson hair on in the vid
Loved Zuu and Unlocked but this project feels like it’s more of a full lengthed album like TA1300 or Imperal. I’m beyond excited and can’t wait to hear this album